Lisa Montes graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a double major in Elementary Education and Psychology. She later attended Wayne State University, earning a Master’s in Spanish and PhD in Modern Languages and Literary Criticism. For thirteen years, she taught in the bilingual elementary program in southwest Detroit and later instructed middle school students in English Language Arts and Spanish. Upon completing her PhD in 2015, she began teaching at the university level. In 2018, Lisa joined the department of Romance Languages and Literatures at the University of Michigan where she teaches Spanish language, history and culture.
Vegetarian since childhood and vegan for over 20 years, Lisa has always advocated for the rights of animals. After moving to Ann Arbor in 2019, she began as a volunteer at SASHA Farm Animal Sanctuary and soon after joined the Animal Care staff. Lisa loves her role in animal care and also serves on the sanctuary’s Board of Directors.